Officials of the Accra Turf Club have strongly condemned the demolition of the Accra Race Course at Borteyman. (Scroll down to watch video)
Chairman of the Accra Turf Club Frederick Nuer and Board Secretary of the Accra Turf Club Sam Newton headlined the press briefing that was held earlier on Wednesday, August 26 to provide details on the alleged chaotic scenes that took place this past weekend.
According to the Accra Turf Club officials, the arena was allegedly taken over by 200 individuals under the supervision of Police Officers who went on to demolish several structures and amenities at the race course including 100 horse stables.
“On Saturday, 22 August 2026, a group of about 200 armed men, led by persons identifying themselves as Clement Dzato and another person referred to as Azuma, forcefully entered the premises of the Accra Race Course.
“The group was accompanied by a number of police officers under the command of DSP Malaika” a section of their address stated.
Officials and members of the Accra Turf Club went on to call on a handful of high ranking government officials including President John Mahama, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah and Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak to intervene in the situation. Scroll down to read full statement…
🎥 Sam Newton, Board Secretary of the Accra Turf Club, has called on the Interior Minister and the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources to intervene in the demolition of the Accra Race Course at Borteyman. #CitiSports pic.twitter.com/zayAxkv8ch
— Citi Sports (@CitiSportsGHA) August 26, 2026
The Accra Turf Club wishes to bring to the attention of the Government of Ghana, relevant state institutions and all other appropriate authorities and the Public, a disturbing and serious incident that occurred on Saturday, 22 August 2026, at the Accra Race Course located at Borteyman, near the Borteyman Stadium.
FORCEFUL ENTRY, DEMOLITION AND TAKEOVER OF THE RACE COURSE
who upon questioning, indicated that he is stationed at the Police Headquarters.
The armed group entered the premises with nine (9) bulldozers and one (1) excavator and proceeded to undertake total demolition and destruction of the Accra Race Course facilities.
The destruction included:
- The demolition of approximately one hundred (100) horse stables.
- The destruction of buildings and horse racing facilities across the premises.
- The destruction of vegetation across the land.
- The destruction of utility services serving the facility.
- The forced removal of horses from their stables.
- The forced ejection of jockeys from their residential facilities.
- The destruction of the Club’s properties and office equipment.
- Removal of all track railings, roofing sheets, water tank container stands and other valuables. These items were immediately sold by the group on our premises
- The blocking of all entrances to the Accra Race Course by the armed men.
Following the demolition, the armed men took over the facilities and ejected members of the Accra Turf Club from the premises. POLICE INTERVENTION AND CLAIM OF OWNERSHIP
Specifically, we call on the relevant authorities to:
- Eject the Land grabbers and encroachers from the Accra Turf Club’s property.
- Restore the Club’s possession and access to our property so that horse racing in Ghana can continue.
- Halt any further attempt by Lands Commission to unlawfully transfer, alienate, or otherwise interfere with the land earmarked for the Accra Turf Club.
- Investigate the circumstances surrounding the events of 22nd August 2026 and bring any persons found responsible for the unlawful and criminal destruction, trespass and takeover of the Club’s property to justice.
PROTECTION OF GHANA’S HORSE RACING HERITAGE The Accra Turf Club remains committed to protecting horse racing in Ghana and preserving a sporting institution whose history in Ghana spans more than a century.
